Review: Happy Days A New Musical
Philippa Ratcliffe reviews Happy Days: A New Musical, showing at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Surrey.
Can the Cunningham’s, Fonzie and the gang save Arnold’s diner? The 1950’s based cult TV show Happy Days has hit the boards in a new musical and is touring the UK.
With a big pinch of schmaltz and a return to simpler times, the collaboration of Garry Marshall (creator of Happy Days), Oscar winning songwriter Paul Williams and Olivier Award nominee choreographer Andrew Wright makes for a sure fired hit with nostalgia and energy. The cast opened to a full house and had the audience bopping in the aisles.
Yes, I was a staunch Happy Days fan and Happy Days A New Musical did not disappoint. Understudy Henry Davis shone as Arthur ‘The Fonz’ Fonzarelli, while Sugarbabe Heidi Range was brilliantly cast as Pinky Tuscadero, suitably clad in shorts, pedal pushers and crop top. Combined with the terrific set, I was instantly transported back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1959.
In despair that Arnold’s diner will be ripped down to be replaced by a shopping mall, Arthur turns to his friends for help to raise money to keep the diner going. They of course come up with a plan, led by Howard Cunningham, hardware man and Chief Poohbah of The Leopard Lodge. Mr C, who was always one of my favourites in Happy Days, played by James Patterson could have easily passed for Tom Bosley, cardie and all.
The duet of What I Dreamed Last Night between Marion, played by Cheryl Baker, and Joanie, Emma Harrold, made for charming scene. Cheryl Baker’s totally delightful portrayal of 1950’s housewife Mrs Cunningham, is warm, funny and littered with lovely little one liners.
Andrew Malden’s Ralph Malph, superbly displayed his bumbling awkwardness to perfection and was a particular treat.
The chemistry between Richie Cunningham, Potsie, Ralph, Chachi & the gang is rich with the antithesis of Happy Days: family, friendship and love
Will Fonzie wrestle his childhood arch enemies the Malarchi brothers (who added the right amount of cheesy fun) to save Arnold’s? And who knew the power that multi-coloured hardware and pies had?
A cameo from Elvis and James Dean, oh yes, some particularly well belted tunes from Pinky, jumping, jiving and dancing on tables all add to this uplifting show.
It’s well worth putting a few dimes in this jukebox.
This review was first published on 1st April 2014 www.essentialsurrey.com
